It’s Carnival Time!

Every year we do a big carnival. What are some of your best ideas for carnival activities?

One of the things I love and hate about carnivals at camp is the free flowing nature of them. Almost every carnival I have seen has an unstructured free play aspect to it. Basically, the campers get to go from activity to activity at their own pace. I think this is important developmentally for all ages to experience, but as many of you know it can also be a recipe for disaster. I know that wasn’t your question, but it is important as a framework for what you are going to do as far as activities. The best carnivals have a mix of physical activities (catering to the range of abilities – easy to hard), more art based activities or less active options, and finally some non-active or even quiet options. Having all of these things going on helps campers learn how to self regulate AND it’ll give staff a way to redirect a camper that is having a hard time with all the excitement and stimulation.

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